COVENTRY City surrendered a second-half lead against rivals Leicester City as the Sky Blues suffered a late 2-1 defeat on the opening weekend of the season in the M69 derby.
Veteran centre-back Kyle McFadzean put the Sky Blues ahead early in the second half only for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to score twice and seal a comeback win for the Foxes at the King Power Stadium.
The result means Coventry sit 16th in the Sky Bet Championship table after one fixture.
Chances were at a premium in the first half before Ben Wilson made a good save to deny Kasey McAteer in stoppage time at the end of the first period.
However, the Sky Blues took the lead on 47 minutes when McFadzean’s near post header beat Mads Hermansen in the Leicester goal from Gustavo Hamer’s corner from the left.
And City had a chance to double their lead on the hour mark when Kasey Palmer slipped in Matty Godden as Hermansen made an important stop to deny the striker.
Leicester equalised on 77 minutes when Dewsbury-Hall headed Dennis Praet’s cross into the bottom left corner from 10-yards out.
And Dewsbury-Hall almost scored a second minutes later as his shot hit the side netting after the ball broke kindly for the midfielder in the box.
The Sky Blues almost snatched the points when club-record signing Haji Wright burst through on goal only for his effort from a tight angle to hit the crossbar with Godden unable to scramble home the rebound.
And City were made to pay for that missed chance on 87 minutes when Dewsbury-Hall picked out the top-right corner after exchanging passes with Stephy Mavididi in the box.
Coventry are next in action away at AFC Wimbledon in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, August 9 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
